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Definition vs Explain - What's the difference?

definition | explain |

As a noun definition

is definition.

As a verb explain is

to make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.

definition

Noun

(en noun)
  • (semantics) A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions).
  • A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation
  • The action or process of defining.
  • The act of defining; determination of the limits.
  • A product of defining.
  • The action or power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear.
  • Her comic genius is beyond definition .
  • Clarity of visual presentation, distinctness of outline or detail.
  • The definition of a telescope.
    Improve the definition of an image.
  • Clarity, especially of musical sound in reproduction.
  • Sharp demarcation of outlines or limits.
  • A jacket with distinct waist definition .
  • (bodybuilding) The degree to which individual muscles are distinct on the body.
  • (programming) A statement which provides a previous declaration with a value or body of a subroutine (in the case of function).
  • (mathematics) A statement that establishes the referent of a term or notation.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * circular definition * conceptual definition * definition by example * definition by pointing * dictionary definition * enumerative definition * extensional definition * intensional definition * lexical definition * operational definition * ostensive definition * precising definition * recursive definition * stipulative definition * working definition

    explain

    English

    (Explanation)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of.
  • *
  • The boy became volubly friendly and bubbling over with unexpected humour and high spirits. He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. Nobody would miss them, he explained .
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-03
  • , author=, volume=100, issue=2, page=106 , magazine=(American Scientist) , title= Pixels or Perish , passage=Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story.}}
  • To give a valid excuse for some past behavior.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=David Simpson
  • , volume=188, issue=26, page=36, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Fantasy of navigation , passage=It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].}}
  • (obsolete) To make flat, smooth out.
  • (obsolete) To unfold or make visible.
  • * (John Evelyn) (1620-1706)
  • The horse-chestnut isready to explain its leaf.

    Synonyms

    * (give a sufficiently detailed report) expound, elaborate